Gearwrench 60 Tooth Ratchets

[HomeTheaterMan]

I see the Snap On Dual 80 mentioned almost every time a ratchet thread comes up, and I agree that it's a great ratchet, but I'm wondering what you guys think of the Gearwrench 60 tooth ratchets?

I have a SO Dual 80 flex head, so I know what it's like and coming from Craftsman raised panel ratchets it's a night and day difference. However after using the dual 80 for a while I got my hands on a Gearwrench 60 tooth and I'm having trouble going back to the SO. I've been using it hard for about 2-3 months and haven't had any issues with it binding, feeling rough, skipping teeth, etc. What I do like about it is that the head is much thinner than the SO and I've been able to get it in places I can't get the SO. I also prefer the feel of it. While it obviously has less teeth, it seems much smoother on each ratchet stroke. I'm really enjoying this thing.

Has anyone else used them? What were your thoughts? I'm wondering if I'm missing an obvious flaw that keeps them from being recommended.

 

[Fedwrench]

The Gearwrench 60 tooth ratchets are their original top performers. I've had them since they first came out years ago and they're still going strong today. They've been eclipsed by their 84 and 120 Xp ratchets in the never ending ratchet tooth wars but, there's nothing wrong with the original 60 tooth model.

 

[oldldh]

Don't know about the 60's...

But...

I do know about the flex head 120's...

Less than a hundred for the set...

From...

www,tooldiscounter.com

 

[sk farmer]

Has anyone else used them? What were your thoughts? I'm wondering if I'm missing an obvious flaw that keeps them from being recommended.

the only flaw they have is they are not snap-on. my dual 80 sits in the drawer while my gearwrench, armstrong, big dawgs and sk do do the work. the real gems are the 60 tooth, just as nice or better than the higher tooth versions.

anything above that 60-72 tooth range is ********. the difference is so minute it is hardly worth speaking about.

 

[JJThrasher]

The 120xps are great. On par with my SOs. Haven't used the 60s.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Now you guys have me interested in the 120xp ratchets. Are the heads still thin on those?

 

[JJThrasher]

They're reasonably sized.

 

[6PTsocket]

If you like your Gearwrench 60, why do you feel that there must be something wrong with it. Some people always have to have the latest smart phone, computer or X box. If it is doing the job, just use it. No matter what you buy, there will always be a new improved model available before you get home. I have Old SKs and Williams. I like the Williams a little better but they are both fine. If I ever have to buy another one, I will worry about what is the current hot setup. I have not found that many situations where I cannot swing the rarchet more than a couple of degrees and need 120 teeth. It is wrenches that usually run into that problem. With extensions, wobble extensions and universals, I can usually get enough swing on my ratchets.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[gdocktor3]

Now you guys have me interested in the 120xp ratchets. Are the heads still thin on those?

Yes they're very thin. I prefer my 1/4" 120xp over my Snappy T72 for that reason, as well as the arc swing. Never used the 60 or 84 ratchets, but have been considering picking up the 84t 1/2" drive 24" ratchet because of the affordability. I figure an 84t is fine enough to swing in tight places, but not too fine where it will strip out when under heavy torque.

 

[Pho20]

Don't know about the 60's...

But...

I do know about the flex head 120's...

Less than a hundred for the set...

From...

www,tooldiscounter.com

Great there goes $100

 

[Fedwrench]

They're reasonably sized.

They are larger & Thicker than the 60 tooth head especially on flex head ratchets.

I think the Gearwrench 60/84 tooth head ratchet is the thinnest on the market aside from the low profile pass through type.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Now you guys have me interested in the 120xp ratchets. Are the heads still thin on those?

They're about the same size in 3/8 and 1/2 as the Snap On.

I liked mine when I first got them, but the more I used them, the rougher and harsher the mechanism got. Probably the only ratchet I've owned where the ratcheting mechanism got worse the more I used it. Since it was a dual pawl ratchet, I could also tell that the two pawls had different amounts of spring tension on them, making the back drag and feel of the ratchet change between every tooth engagement. The back drag in general is fairly high on them too. Despite that, I still like the 1/4 version better than the Snap On TL72 (but I've got a whole rant just for the Snap On T72 and why I hate it), but for 3/8 and 1/2, not a fan. There are better choices for 1/4 drive too than 120XP or Snap On.

 

[HCNDM]

The 120xp ratchets are top of my wish list.

I have too many ratchets as is. And gearwrench is hard to get here in Europe.

I do have their ratcheting box spannners and those are great. The certainly put my facoms to shame.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sk farmer]

imop the 120 is nothing special. i have the 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 set. nice but the just done't feel as nice as the single pawl versions with 60-84 clicks.

my favorite versions? my gearwrench handle with a matco 88 kit or my armstrong aerospace with 88. the 60 tooth models are right behind them.

 

[Citation]

Op, go to home depot and look at their 72 and 100 tooth ratchets. They are Apex made ratchets and all but identical to the gw stuff save for the name. The HD 100 tooth is the same basic thing as the 120 tooth gw (other than the paint). The lower count ratchets have a lower profile head with no loss of strength. The high tooth count comes from a double pawl setup (no relationship to the snap on double pawl). The drive needs to be taller for the second pawl. This you get more clicks but a taller head with more back drag. Personally I like quick release buttons so I prefer the HD ratchets. Its also nice that they are cheap and can be had in kits for hardly more than the price of the ratchet.

 

[maintguy]

I have a gw 84.I really like it except its not quick release

 

[6PTsocket]

Op, go to home depot and look at their 72 and 100 tooth ratchets. They are Apex made ratchets and all but identical to the gw stuff save for the name. The HD 100 tooth is the same basic thing as the 120 tooth gw (other than the paint). The lower count ratchets have a lower profile head with no loss of strength. The high tooth count comes from a double pawl setup (no relationship to the snap on double pawl). The drive needs to be taller for the second pawl. This you get more clicks but a taller head with more back drag. Personally I like quick release buttons so I prefer the HD ratchets. Its also nice that they are cheap and can be had in kits for hardly more than the price of the ratchet.

Round head ratchets have always been double pawl with no extra height. The gear teeth are in the head rather than the part that rotates. The rotating part has two opposing pawls. The center knob flips both pawls. The head is also smaller in bulk than a "pear" as there is no big area at the bottom for the pawl and lever. The trade off is that you can reverse the pear with your thumb and the round head takes two hands.

 

[Citation]

Round head ratchets have always been double pawl with no extra height. The gear teeth are in the head rather than the part that rotates. The rotating part has two opposing pawls. The center knob flips both pawls. The head is also smaller in bulk than a "pear" as there is no big area at the bottom for the pawl and lever. The trade off is that you can reverse the pear with your thumb and the round head takes two hands.

I didn't mean to imply double pawl always meant more height. What is important is how the gw double pawl works. It's double pawls are stacked vertically, hence the extra height.

http://toolguyd.com/gearwrench-120xp-dual-pawl-ratchet-disassembled/

 

[popparoach]

+1 for the 60 tooth handle with matco 88 guts.

 

[MDK22]

I have Matco 100 tooth. It is nice and all but, I still reach for my Expert E031702 Drive Pear Head Comfort Grip Flex Ratchet, 3/8-Inch Almost every time. Why? the gd thing just works. It is small and compact enough to get in some really tight spots and strong enough to take a beating and also does not hurt my hand when i am putting over 100lbs of force behind it.

Sometimes you just have your favorite ratchet. My 1/2" drive favorite ratchet is a Vintage Fine tooth V Forge Marked Round Head craftsman.

 

[Al Borland]

Just get the Husky 72 tooth pearhead. Thin head and wonderful chrome. So nice, you don't even need to polish it.